U.S. Department of Labor | ||||||
Occupational Safety & Health Administration |
OSHA News Release
2004 - 08/04/2004 - OSHA Issues Final Rule on Respiratory Protection |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
OSHA Trade Release August 4, 2004 OSHA Contact: Frank Meilinger Phone (202) 693-1999 OSHA Issues Final Rule on Respiratory Protection
Revised Standard Adds A New Fit-Testing Protocol WASHINGTON -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced an addition to the approved fit- testing protocol in its Respiratory Protection Standard. The revision adds a new quantitative fit-testing procedure to assist workers and employers in the proper fit and selection of respirators. "Selecting the proper respirator is a vital step in protecting a user against potential over-exposures and adverse health effects," said OSHA Administrator John Henshaw. "The additional fit-testing protocol will help employers and employees to select the right respirator based on the conditions in their workplaces." The new fit-testing protocol, referred to as the Controlled Negative Pressure (CNP) REDON protocol, requires three different test exercises followed by two redonnings of the respirator. The three test exercises, listed in order of administration, are normal breathing, bending over, and head shaking. The procedures for administering the new CNP REDON protocol, with three test exercises and the two respirator donnings to an employee, and for measuring respirator leakage during each test, are summarized below:
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OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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